Siavonga and Kariba-Zambia and Zimbabwe

Period: September

This tour is unique because for the first time ever once again we have decided to take you to Kariba Museum in Kariba town in neighboring Zimbabwe so you can not only learn about the rich history and culture of the Valley Tonga of this region (Zambia inclusive) but, also look into the history of the construction of the Kariba dam.

Building the dam wall began in the late 1950s. Well over a million cubic metres of concrete was poured into the 36.6-metre-high wall with a thickness of over twenty-four metres to sustain the pressure of nearly ten million litres of water passing through the spillway each second. At the end of 1958, the sluice gates were closed and in 1963 the maximum level was reached.

Also, on this trip, for the first time ever at the Kariba Dam, we have made prior arrangements with the authorities here to allow scholars to visit the current US$ 294 million project that involves reshaping the plunge pool at the foot of the 60-year-old Kariba Dam and refurbishment of the spillway.

First stop on our trip is the Kafue River in Kafue town where we explain the social, cultural and economic benefits to Zambia from this River that predominantly passes through several Zambian cities and urban districts. From here after winding up and down the treacherous Zambezi escarpment we stop over at Ing’ombe Ilede (an archaeological site) before arriving in Siavonga. Other attractions in Siavonga include the Kariba Dam, its operations and that of ZESCO (Kariba North Bank) Power Station. Then there is also the Lusitu Resettlement Scheme, Aquaculture (Fish farming) and Nyami Nyami. Otherwise known as the Zambezi River god or Zambezi Snake spirit, Nyami Nyami is one of the most important gods of the Tonga people. It is believed to protect the Tongas and give them sustenance in difficult times. The river God is usually portrayed as male